Fast draining system for walk-in bathtub

ABSTRACT

A fast draining system may include a first two-way connector, a first water draining hole of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes. In one embodiment, the first two-way connector has a first connecting opening and a second connecting opening to connect with connecting pipes. The first two-way connector also has a top opening to align with the first draining hole of the bathtub. In a further embodiment, the fast draining system may include a second two-way connector to expedite the water draining process. The second two-way connector also has a first connecting opening, a second connecting opening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a top opening to align with a second water draining hole. Each of the water draining holes has a cover to retain the water in the bathtub.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/921,630, filed on Dec. 30,2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a draining system for a walk-in bathtub, and inparticular to a fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional bathtubs may have high sidewalls, which allow a bathtub tohold a large volume of water. Many individuals, particularly the elderlyand those suffering from arthritis, debilitating injury, handicap,and/or general loss of mobility, may have trouble accessing a bathtubarea due to the high step that is typically required to step into andout of a bathtub. For such persons, the sidewall of a bathtub may be aninsurmountable hurdle. Even with the assistance of a health aide, manyindividuals may not be capable of safely stepping over the sidewall of abathtub and into the bathtub to take a bath or shower. Consequently,these persons may forego taking a bath or shower altogether and settlefor alternate bathing methods, such as sponge baths and the like. Manypeople, however, may not find such alternative bathing methodssatisfactory.

Walk-in bathtubs comprise high tub walls with a high built in seat and aside door, allowing the user to walk into the tub from the side and sitdown without having to climb down into a low bath tub. FIG. 1 shows atypical example of a walk-in bathtub in accordance with the prior art.Walk-in tubs are particularly suited for individuals who have physicallimitations that make it difficult or dangerous to climb into and out ofa regular, low bathtub or to stand up in a shower for extended periodsof time. Such limitations might include physical disabilities or simplythe reduced strength, balance and range of motion that typically occurwith advancing age. Walk-in tubs are not only easier to enter and exitthan conventional bathtubs, they also reduce the chances of slips andfalls compared to conventional tubs and showers.

As stated above, most walk-in bathtubs have high sidewalls and they areable to contain more water as the bathtub is filled when the person istalking shower therein. For such amount of water, it may have to take along time for the water to drain away. More importantly, users of thewalk-in bathtub are usually elderly or injured people. If any emergentsituation happens, the water in the walk-in bathtub has to drain as soonas possible to enable the user to leave the walk-in bathtub. Therefore,there remains a need for a new and improved bathtub draining system toquickly discharge the water in the walk-in bathtub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a main objective of the present invention to provide a fastdraining system for a walk-in bathtub to expedite the water drainingprocess.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide at least onetwo-way connector in the fast draining system for a walk-in bathtub toeasily discharge the water in the walk-in bathtub no matter where thewater outlet in the bathroom.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a secondtwo-way connector along with a second water draining hole on the bathtubto further expedite the water draining process.

In one embodiment, a fast draining system may include a first two-wayconnector, a first water draining hole of a bathtub, and a plurality ofconnecting pipes. In one embodiment, the first two-way connector has afirst connecting opening and a second connecting opening to connect withconnecting pipes. The first two-way connector also has a top opening toalign with the first draining hole of the bathtub. In a furtherembodiment, the fast draining system may include a second two-wayconnector to expedite the water draining process. The second two-wayconnector also has a first connecting opening, a second connectingopening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a top opening to alignwith a second water draining hole. Each of the water draining holes hasa cover to retain the water in the bathtub.

When in use, the user can lift at least one cover of the water draininghole and the water would start draining along the water drainingdirection. If the user wishes to expedite the water draining process,he/she can lift both covers and so the water can be drained through bothtwo-way connectors to speed up the water draining process. The bathtubhas an overflow hole, so the water level will not exceed the overflowhole to avoid excessive water in the bathtub. It is noted that thedraining water can easily go either water draining directions withappropriate connecting pipes to direct the water out of the bathroom toavoid reverse plumbing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art disclosing a conventional walk-inbathtub.

FIG. 2. illustrates an exploded view of fast water draining system for awalk-in bathtub in the present invention.

FIG. 3. illustrates a schematic view of the two-way connectors of fastwater draining system in the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the fastdraining system for a walk-in bathtub in the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the two-way connector with a capof the fast draining system in the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a venting pipe of the fast draining system in thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofthe presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to beunderstood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and componentsmay be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended tobe encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devicesand materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used inthe practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devicesand materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purposeof describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologiesthat are described in the publications that might be used in connectionwith the presently described invention. The publications listed ordiscussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely fortheir disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application.Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors arenot entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

In a conventional plumbing system, the connector connecting to thedrawing hole is a one-way connector. If the water outlet in the bathroomis located along with the water draining direction, namely the openingof the connector is toward the water outlet, using the one-way connectordoes not cause any problems. However, if the water outlet in thebathroom is located at the opposite side of the water drainingdirection, the user may have to do a “reverse plumbing” to direct thedraining water in an addition U-shape pipe to the water outlet, whichwould increase the costs of the plumbing and cause waste of thematerials.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fast draining system may include a firsttwo-way connector 110, a first water draining hole 210 of a bathtub, anda plurality of connecting pipes 300. In one embodiment, the firsttwo-way connector 110 has a first connecting opening 111 and a secondconnecting opening 112 to connect with connecting pipes 300. The firsttwo-way connector 110 also has a top opening 113 to align with the firstdraining hole 210 of the bathtub. In a further embodiment, the fastdraining system may include a second two-way connector 120 to expeditethe water draining process. The second two-way connector 120 also has afirst connecting opening 121, a second connecting opening 122 to connectwith the connecting pipes 300, and a top opening 123 to align with asecond water draining hole 220. Each of the water draining holes 210 and220 has a cover 211 and 221 respectively to retain the water in thebathtub.

When in use, the user can lift at least one cover of the water draininghole and the water would start draining along the water drainingdirection as shown in FIG. 2. If the user wishes to expedite the waterdraining process, he/she can lift both covers 211 and 221 so the watercan be drained through both two-way connectors 110 and 120 to speed upthe water draining process. The fast draining system further includes anoverflow hole 410, so the water level will not exceed the overflow hole410 to avoid excessive water in the bathtub. It is noted that thedraining water can easily go either water draining direction A ordirection B (with appropriate connecting pipes) to direct the water outof the bathroom without using reverse plumbing as stated above.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fast draining system only has onetwo-way connector 110 along with one water draining hole 210 and aplurality of connecting pipes 300. It is noted that the water isdirected toward the water draining direction B so a cap 114 can bedisposed on the second connecting opening 112 to prevent water fromleaking from the second connecting opening 112. In still a furtherembodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the two-way connector 110 has a ventingpipe 115 to vent the bubbles.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrationsabove, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the inventionand are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention isnot to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, butincludes any equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fast draining system for a walk-in bathtubcomprising at least one two-way connector, at least one water draininghole of a bathtub, and a plurality of connecting pipes, wherein a firsttwo-way connector has a first connecting opening and a second connectingopening to connect with connecting pipes, and a top opening to alignwith a first draining hole of the bathtub corresponding to the firsttwo-way connector, and the water draining hole has a cover attachedthereon, wherein when the cover is lifted to start the water drainingprocess, the water starts to drain through the two-way connector and theconnecting pipes to a water outlet in a bathroom, regardless of wherethe water outlet is located without reverse plumbing.
 2. The fastdraining system for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, further comprising asecond two-way connector that has a first connecting opening, a secondconnecting opening to connect with the connecting pipes, and a topopening to align with a second water draining hole.
 3. The fast drainingsystem for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, wherein a cap is disposed atone of the connecting openings that is on an opposite side of the wateroutlet in the bathroom to prevent water leaking.
 4. The fast drainingsystem for a walk-in bathtub of claim 1, wherein the two-way connectorhas a venting pipe to vent the bubbles.
 5. The fast draining system fora walk-in bathtub of claim 1, further comprising an overflow hole on thebathtub to control a water level therein to avoid excessive water in thebathtub.